Related Content

Moore called the allegations a "witch hunt" in a statement shortly before the press conference. The campaign said Moore was innocent and "has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone." He insisted he was in the race to stay.

Moore called the accusation "absolutely false" in a statement outside a fire station in Gallant, Alabama, later Monday, denying that he knew Nelson and adding that he didn't know where the restaurant that she described was.

"Let it be understood: the truth will come forward, we will pursue all legal options against these false claims and Judge Moore will be vindicated," his campaign said earlier in a statement.

Nelson said Moore was a regular customer at the restaurant where she worked after school in Gadsden, Alabama.

During the news conference, Nelson presented a yearbook that she said Moore signed.

Nelson said she and her husband supported Donald Trump in his run to become president, adding that her concerns about Moore have nothing to do with politics.

Allred called for legislators to hold a hearing for Moore to respond under oath to accusations from her client and other women. She said that Nelson is not seeking any penalties through court.

According to Nelson, one night when she was 16, Moore offered to drive her home but instead parked the car behind the restaurant and groped her and locked the door to keep her inside, among other allegations.

Moore finally stopped and as she got out of the car, he warned her no one would believe because he was a county prosecutor, Nelson said.

Allred said Nelson kept the secret for more than four decades because she feared the "power he had." Nelson says that she feared what would happen if she said anything."I was frightened by his position and his power," Nelson said.

Moore and Democrat Doug Jones face a Dec. 12 special election to replace Luther Strange, who was appointed to replace Jeff Sessions when Sessions was named U.S. attorney general.

Meanwhile, Moore says he will sue The Washington Post over its report alleging he pursued sexual relationships with teenagers — including a 14-year-old — when he was in his 30s.

"I have never provided alcohol to minors, and I have never engaged in sexual misconduct," Moore said in a statement, responding to the news article. "As a father of a daughter and a grandfather of five granddaughters, I condemn the actions of any man who engages in sexual misconduct not just against minors but against any woman."

The Washington Post declined to comment Monday morning.

In the news article, the woman who was 14 years old at the time claimed he took her to his house, undressed down to his underwear and undressed her down to her bra and underwear and touched her and moved her hand to touch his underwear, which could have been sexual offenses due to her age, but the statutes of limitations in effect during that time have passed.

None of the other three women told the Post that Moore sexually harassed, or assaulted them, or forced them into a relationship. Alabama's legal age of consent is 16.

Moore has denied the allegations since they were published. He called the claims "completely false" Friday when appearing on Sean Hannity's syndicated radio show.

Speaking at a Veterans Day event at the Mid-Alabama Republican Club in Birmingham Saturday, Moore called the allegations "fake news" and "yet another attack on my character and reputation in a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign for the United States Senate."

He added that the alleged incidents happened nearly 40 years ago and called them "very hurtful to me personally—I have the highest regard for the protection of young children," before adding that he has never provided alcohol to a minor and has "not been guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone."

Moore added that there were ongoing "investigations" looking into the motivations behind the Post article, and promised "revelations" about the story to come in the next few days, though he did not provide further specifics.

A number of Republicans withdrew their endorsements of Moore following The Washington Post article, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which severed a joint fundraising agreement that benefits Moore's campaign.